HELSINGBORG: NATO allies and defense officials expressed bewilderment on Friday at US President Donald Trump’s announcement that he would send 5,000 US troops to Poland just weeks after he ordered the same number of forces pulled out of Europe.
The apparent change of mind came after weeks of statements from Trump and his administration about reducing — not increasing — the American military footprint in Europe.
Trump’s initial order set off a flurry of action among military commanders and left allies already doubtful about America’s commitment to Europe’s security to ponder what forces they might have to backfill on NATO’s eastern flank with Russia and Ukraine.
Earlier this month, the Trump administration said it was reducing levels in Europe by about 5,000 troops, and US officials confirmed about 4,000 service members were no longer deploying to Poland. The dispatch to Germany of US personnel trained to fire long-range missiles was also halted.
But in a post on Truth Social on Thursday, Trump said he would send “an additional 5,000 Troops to Poland,” citing his strong ties with Polish President Karol Nawrocki, whom Trump endorsed in elections last year.
